[December 05, 2012]Monday evening before the
Lincoln City Council got down to the business of voting on agenda
items, they heard from Seth Goodman, Main Street Lincoln president,
and were introduced to Bill Hoagland, the new executive director of
Main Street.

Goodman opened by expressing Main Street's appreciation to the city
in their co-sponsorship of the annual Lincoln Christmas Parade on
Nov. 29.

Goodman said Main Street was very well pleased with the
number of entries this year: 54. He noted that in looking back at
past years, this was the largest parade the city has seen in several
years.

He also announced the winners of the various categories.

In floats and vehicles, Charron's Auto Repair took first place.
Second place went to the local Scout Pack 111, and third place was
awarded to the New Holland Hollanders 4-H club.

In the walking entries, Christian Village took first, with the
U.S. Postal Service taking second. Third place went to Toys for
Tots.

The Mayor's Choice award went to Special Olympics, with Ryan
Curry Professional Lawn Maintenance providing the transportation.

Goodman also commented that Main Street has hung wreaths on each
corner of the square as a part of their Christmas decorating for
downtown. The annual Christmas tree on the courthouse lawn is also
up. Goodman expressed appreciation to the Coopers of Angel Valley
Tree Farm for once again donating a tree.

In addition, Santa will be visiting local businesses across the
next three Saturdays. Goodman said there is a specific
schedule
(posted in today's LDN) of when and where Santa will be.

Goodman then said that he had also come to the council to
introduce them to Main Street's new executive director, Bill
Hoagland.

Hoagland took the podium, saying the position of executive
director of Main Street was a very unique opportunity for him.

He gave a brief history of his youth in Lincoln, running through
the schools he attended, which include Washington-Monroe, Lincoln
Junior High, Lincoln Community High School and Lincoln College. He
finished his college career at Northwest University.

Hoagland is a LCHS Class of 1970 graduate. He played basketball
throughout his school career and said that in addition to his
parents, many of the people who shaped his life were his coaches. He
named Roger Webster at Lincoln Junior High, Duncan Reid at LCHS,
Allen Pickering and Tom Zurkhammer at Lincoln College, and Tom
Jorgenson at Northwestern. He also remembered Bucky Washam as his
coach in Pony League, saying these were the people who played a
large role in making him into the person he is today.

Hoagland's career has taken him out of the Logan County area, as
he has worked with a variety of companies in marketing. He most
recently owned his own company in Denver, Colo., where he worked
with business owners to help them develop and grow their business.

He told the council there are three "makes" on the road to
success: first you have to make a living, then you need to make a
difference, and hopefully you end up by making wealth.

He told the council he was excited to be back home in Lincoln, a
community he truly loves.

"This is where I shaped my core values, where I became what I am
as a person. We have a unique combination with what Main Street has
to offer and what I bring to the table with my experiences, both
those that were successes and those that were hard lessons to learn
along the way," Hoagland said. "I just can't tell you how excited I
am to be back in Lincoln."

After Hoagland finished, he asked the group if they had any
questions for him. When no one immediately responded, he quipped
that it was an easy crowd.

Alderwoman Kathy Horn drew a chuckle from everyone when she
responded: "You're not here asking for money?"

Jonie Tibbs also offered a welcome to Hoagland as did Mayor Keith
Snyder.